COKER TO RETIRE AS CIRCUIT JUDGE AFTER 15 YEARS

Broward Circuit Judge Thomas M. Coker, once dubbed America's toughest judge because he sent so many killers to Death Row, is stepping down from the criminal bench after 15 years.

Coker, 65, sent a letter of resignation to Chief Judge Dale Ross on Monday, explaining that he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Coker will retire on Feb. 1. His term does not run out until 1994.

"I'm kind of sad about leaving," Coker said. "But I'm tired, and I need a rest. And I'd like to spend more time with my wife, my children and grandchildren."

Coker never kept count of how many murderers he sentenced to the electric chair over the years, but courthouse observers estimate the number at somewhere between one dozen and two dozen.

He earned the nickname "The Hanging Judge" for sending seven killers to Death Row during a 17-month period in 1981 and 1982.

The cases also projected him into the national news for a time. Even the supermarket tabloids took notice. The National Enquirer ran a story in 1982 that included a photo of Coker brandishing a gun on the bench and saying, "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime."

The headline read: "America's toughest judge."

Coker said his decision to retire partly hinged on his frustration with a judicial system that gives more rights to criminals than victims.

During the past year, Coker also grew increasingly frustrated when the Florida Supreme Court ordered him to resentence several killers from Death Row to life in prison.

"We don't seem to be able to punish people the way we ought to," Coker said.

News of his resignation was met with sadness amoung judges, lawyers and Coker's staff.

"I congratulate him on a remarkable career," said Circuit Judge Stanton S. Kaplan. "He's been a champion of law and order for the people of Broward County. His leaving is a great loss to all the people of Florida. Hopefully, someone with his outlook on crime will be appointed to take his place."

Prosecutor Joel Lazarus, who was assigned to Coker's courtroom from 1978 to 1981, said Coker's years of experience and integrity will be missed.

"He is a real fine jurist, and I for one will miss him greatly," Lazarus said.

Betty Carson, Coker's judicial assistant, worked with Coker when he was a private lawyer and since the day he became a judge 15 years ago.

"It seems his leaving is going to signal the end of an era," Carson said. "There are few judges of his kind. He has the highest respect for the judiciary. Not himself, but what it stands for.

"I think at first he will enjoy his time off, but then he will miss being here. He has truly loved being a judge."

After spending some time with his family, Coker said he plans to come back and try criminal cases occasionally as a retired judge.

"I'm not ready to hang it up," he said. "It's just getting out from the daily grind. I've been in this building 35 years. I think it's time to go."

Before he was elected to the criminal bench, Coker served as county solicitor and later was elected public defender.

When people recall his years on the bench, Coker hopes that they will say he cared about the victims.

"That I cared about protecting people and punishing the bad guys," Coker said.